My time dining on the Radiance

[cavydad]

On the third night of the cruise people with reservations are still waiting 15 minutes to get in the Radiance of the Seas My Time Ding room. Best description is chaos and poorly trained staff.

 

I made my time dining reservations for 6 p.m. before I left home. I confirmed the reservations when I boarded the ship with the maitred.

 

We waited in line on the first night and watched people walk by as we waited in line. When we finally reached the front of the line we were told that confirmation slips were in our room. The room steward should have ours. After dinner we checked with Albert. He told us there were not any slips for us.

 

The next day we got a slip at the dining room at lunch time. It was still a challenge to get a table. When we boarde the ship we requested a table of six or fewer.

 

The last two nights they attempted to put us with a table of twelve. We reminded them of our request.

 

Usually by the third night staff is in a routine. Still chaotic.

 

When we left the dining room after dinner, around 7:30, the waiting line exitended out to the elevator.

 

 

What gives?

[TBone2K]

That happened to us on Brilliance because they had too many people booked into MTD.

 

I don't think it helps much now, but for others reading, if you always want 6:00 anyway, maybe see if they can get you a spot in MDR? Assuming first MDR seating is 6:00, of course.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

On the third night of the cruise people with reservations are still waiting 15 minutes to get in the Radiance of the Seas My Time Ding room. Best description is chaos and poorly trained staff.

 

I made my time dining reservations for 6 p.m. before I left home. I confirmed the reservations when I boarded the ship with the maitred.

 

We waited in line on the first night and watched people walk by as we waited in line. When we finally reached the front of the line we were told that confirmation slips were in our room. The room steward should have ours. After dinner we checked with Albert. He told us there were not any slips for us.

 

The next day we got a slip at the dining room at lunch time. It was still a challenge to get a table. When we boarde the ship we requested a table of six or fewer.

 

The last two nights they attempted to put us with a table of twelve. We reminded them of our request.

 

Usually by the third night staff is in a routine. Still chaotic.

 

When we left the dining room after dinner, around 7:30, the waiting line exitended out to the elevator.

 

 

What gives?

 

Can you share more about "confirmation slips". Does having one mean you don't wait in line and just walk in? Sorry to hear dining is not going well.

[FLACRUISER99]

I can't figure out why RCI can't figure out MTD. Princess & HAL don't seem to have a problem with it.

[cb at sea]

You can "walk in" if there are available tables....sounds like the seating manager isn't up to par!

 

Yes...if you want to eat at 6, just do traditional..your table will be waiting on YOU...not you on it!!

[Big_G]

I can't figure out why RCI can't figure out MTD. Princess & HAL don't seem to have a problem with it.

The one time we made reservations was the first time and when we went to the dining room they weren't in the system. We've never made a reservation since and almost just walk right in every time.

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[cavydad]

The slip means you can by pass the line and go immediately to the podium. Today, day 4 a slip was delivered to my room. Even though we have met with them many times and have been adamant that we do not want anything larger than a 8 person table we have been assigned to one of the largest tables in the dining room.

 

We shall meet with them, for the fourth time, at lunch and explain that we want a small table. We stood for 8 minutes in the middle of the dining room last night and discussed why we would not sit at that table. Finally they located a smaller table.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

The slip means you can by pass the line and go immediately to the podium. Today, day 4 a slip was delivered to my room. Even though we have met with them many times and have been adamant that we do not want anything larger than a 8 person table we have been assigned to one of the largest tables in the dining room.

 

We shall meet with them, for the fourth time, at lunch and explain that we want a small table. We stood for 8 minutes in the middle of the dining room last night and discussed why we would not sit at that table. Finally they located a smaller table.

 

This is really different. I'm thinking it might be because Radiance has moved MTD from deck 5 to deck 4 and has many more guests to seat.

 

So from what you're saying you get a slip with a table assignment and dining time delivered to your room. With this slip you walk to the front of the line and are then taken to your table. Or can you just walk to your table?

 

It shouldn't be so hard to get what you want. Especially after you've talked to them more than once. Sorry to hear it's not good and hope it gets sorted out.

[fragilek]

I thought that with MTD I could just walk up and request a table for just 2 even if I had a pre-booked time on MTD (We did on Rhapsody)

 

Is the Radiance different to the Jewel?

[PCWalton1]

This is really different. I'm thinking it might be because Radiance has moved MTD from deck 5 to deck 4 and has many more guests to seat.

 

So from what you're saying you get a slip with a table assignment and dining time delivered to your room. With this slip you walk to the front of the line and are then taken to your table. Or can you just walk to your table?

 

It shouldn't be so hard to get what you want. Especially after you've talked to them more than once. Sorry to hear it's not good and hope it gets sorted out.

 

Yup, it the first cruise with the change of decks and so the increase in the number of MTD passengers. We were just on there last month before the deck change and it ran smooth. It's not a good reason for all the chaos but it's a reason. :rolleyes:

 

Hopefully it will level out but 6pm can be one of the most hectic times to use MTD.

Edited September 12, 2016 by PCWalton1

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Yup, it the first cruise with the change of decks and so the increase in the number of MTD passengers. We were just on there last month before the deck change and it ran smooth. It's not a good reason for all the chaos but it's a reason. :rolleyes:

 

Hopefully it will level out but 6pm can be one of the most hectic times to use MTD.

 

Do you know if this in being done on other ships? Still not clear about the "confirmation slip" in your room. If they're assigning times/tables isn't that like Fixed Dining? Do hope it levels off soon for those guests testing this new concept.

[dd likes to cruise]

Off the Radiance on sept 2nd. Never saw a line. My time dining was on deck 5. We made a reservation at 5:30. Liked our server so when we left we requested his table every night. Walked right in. We would have taken just normal dining but it was full when we booked the cruise. Again, we never saw a line on our side of the dining room. Had the slip in the room a few days, never took it with us. Just walked by the lady and told her where we were going.

[dd likes to cruise]

Just a thought - if My time starts at 5:30 - 6:00 will be a hard time to get. No one will Have left yet.

[Merion_Mom]

My logical mind is confused.

 

If there is MORE space and MORE tables, shouldn't it be EASIER to accommodate the diners?!?!?!?

 

:confused:

[suzyluvs2cruise]

My logical mind is confused.

 

If there is MORE space and MORE tables, shouldn't it be EASIER to accommodate the diners?!?!?!?

 

:confused:

 

One would think so. ;)

[elleluv]

I can't figure out why RCI can't figure out MTD. Princess & HAL don't seem to have a problem with it.

 

 

I haven't ever sailed HAL, but the absolute worst Anytime Dining experiences I've ever had have all been on Princess.

 

The worst case was on my last Princess sailing which was last year. The Anytime line on the first formal night on Crown went past the International Cafe and all the way around the Centrum to the opening for the elevator stack on the other side of the ship! :eek:

 

We took one look at it... had our portraits done and went back upstairs to change and have dinner in the buffet. We talked to some folks later who said they waited in line for almost an hour and a half!

Edited September 12, 2016 by elleluv

[Merion_Mom]

I haven't ever sailed HAL, but the absolute worst Anytime Dining experiences I've ever had have all been on Princess.

 

The worst case was on my last Princess sailing last year. The Anytime line on the first formal night on Crown went past the International Cafe and all the way around the Centrum to the opening for the elevator stack on the other side of the ship! :eek:

 

We took one look at it... had our portraits done and went back upstairs to change and have dinner in the buffet. We talked to some folks later who said they waited in line for almost an hour and a half!

 

On my first Princess cruise (in 2006), I didn't have ATD, but I witnessed that same kind of line-up, too! :eek:

[Ginny Ray]

I haven't ever sailed HAL, but the absolute worst Anytime Dining experiences I've ever had have all been on Princess.

 

The worst case was on my last Princess sailing which was last year. The Anytime line on the first formal night on Crown went past the International Cafe and all the way around the Centrum to the opening for the elevator stack on the other side of the ship! :eek:

 

We took one look at it... had our portraits done and went back upstairs to change and have dinner in the buffet. We talked to some folks later who said they waited in line for almost an hour and a half!

 

Oh so true if you want 7 to 730,, however we always just waltz right in at 5:30, or in the main set dining room, just go a little after 6 and if they have room you go right in... we love it on Princess...doing first Royal in a long time and trying my time so we shall see

 

Never had a problem on HAL either

Edited September 13, 2016 by Ginny Ray

[FLACRUISER99]

I haven't ever sailed HAL, but the absolute worst Anytime Dining experiences I've ever had have all been on Princess.

 

The worst case was on my last Princess sailing which was last year. The Anytime line on the first formal night on Crown went past the International Cafe and all the way around the Centrum to the opening for the elevator stack on the other side of the ship! :eek:

 

We took one look at it... had our portraits done and went back upstairs to change and have dinner in the buffet. We talked to some folks later who said they waited in line for almost an hour and a half!

My last cruise on Princess I reserved a time & table and just went to it every night like fixed dining.

[PCWalton1]

My logical mind is confused.

 

If there is MORE space and MORE tables, shouldn't it be EASIER to accommodate the diners?!?!?!?

 

:confused:

 

There you go, applying logic. :p

[PCWalton1]

Off the Radiance on sept 2nd. Never saw a line. My time dining was on deck 5. We made a reservation at 5:30. Liked our server so when we left we requested his table every night. Walked right in. We would have taken just normal dining but it was full when we booked the cruise. Again, we never saw a line on our side of the dining room. Had the slip in the room a few days, never took it with us. Just walked by the lady and told her where we were going.

 

They reorganized on the 9th swapping decks for MTD and traditional. That is what is causing all the headaches this week.

[Desert Cruizers]

Are the slips new, we had MTD a couple years ago and never had a slip, walked up gave our names and were seated.

[cavydad]

The slips must be new. The crew cannot "guess" how to distribute the slips or who should have the task of distributing them. On the first day the restaurant staff did not even mention the slips.

 

We are going onto Sydney and in the next three weeks the crew my learn how to implement my time dining.

 

Last night we said "screw this" and went to Chops.

[JCMass.]

Are they doing this on all the Radiance class ships ? We have never had any problem with MTD, waited in a very short line at most, and were escorted to a seat. We always made a reservation before we came usually by 4pm as they request. Sometimes we eat in a specialty restaurant, sometimes in the Windjammer. We decide each day without any problems.

 

The only time we had a problem was on the Brilliance of the Seas a year ago. We decided to make reservations for the first night before boarding, I made it several weeks in advance on line. I tried for 6:30pm but could only get 5:45pm. When we arrived there was a huge line. They had booked way too many people around 5:30pm when they open. One huge line and a very stressed staff. After that we made reservations like we always do on board each day and around 6:30 or 7:00 pm. with a person. There was no problem.

 

We will be on the Serenade of the Seas in a few weeks, I don't plan to make any reservations till we board. That is the benefit of the smaller ships you don't have to have the whole cruise scheduled before it even begins.

Edited September 13, 2016 by JCMass.

[Desert Cruizers]

last Oct I had made reservations for 6 PM on the Serenade and had tried to link our friends but couldn't. We walked in the first evening and I told them there were 2 other couples and and he made the changes and we were escorted to our table. Every evening we walked in and to our table, no problem. Normally we do main dining.

Edited September 13, 2016 by Desert Cruizers